Blood Money
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
_________________________

The speech in the introductory sequence probably sums things up best - "the biggest unanswered question is 'where is the money?"   (Amiga version)

The player has 4 missions to take on, in each case trying to kill baddies for the money they have, which can be spent in the shop rooms to upgrade their craft. Energy is depleted by contact with enemies and the walls, although there are some baddies who simply hover on your ship and steal, rather than physically doing damage.

The game is a shoot 'em up which scrolls both horizontally and vertically, while being viewed from an R-Type style sideways perspective. Navigating the levels sometimes requires the player to duck through gaps in scenery.

Trivia

The artwork used on the front of the box and on the intro screen is called "Protector" and was made by the well-known British illustrator Peter Andrew Jones. Like a lot of his art, the piece has appeared on sci-fi book covers: it was first used for a 1979 British paperback release of Larry Niven's Protector and depicts Phssthpok the Pak, a main character from the book. It also appeared on a Dutch edition of Niven's Ringworld Throne and is featured in Jones' art book Solar Wind.

David Jones wrote the game inspired by an arcade game called Mr. Heli. He wrote it at home, in his bedroom, in his spare time.

Awards:

Power Play
Issue 01/1990 - #3 Best Action Game in 1989

---

Description from the packaging:

The ultimate arcade game.

Hold it right there. Are you really ready for this one? Have you got the courage to load up the experience that makes all other games you've played seem prehistoric?

Because Blood Money is simply the best arcade game you've ever seen. It has staggering graphics, amazing sound effects and music and the most gripping gameplay you've ever tackled in your life. Blood Money just leaves the competition for dead and takes you into new realms of arcade action.

But it's going to be tough. From the instant you hear that driving soundtrack you'll be plunged into a maelstrom of sheer destruction, as you plunder the four Outer Planets in a kamikaze quest for gold and glory. The aliens in Blood Money set some vicious traps, and it will tale all your skills just to survive.

Use your awesome firepower wisely and you'll turn those aliens into blood money that can earn you extra weapons and equipment. And you're going to need them, because there are no easy screens in Blood Money. It's a life and death struggle that demands all your tactical genius and shoot-em-up know-how before you battle through to confront the four planetary Guardians.

With its vast bit-mapped graphics, superb animation, blistering sound, devilish obstacles, awesome firepower and 1 or 2 player options, Blood Money is the greatest challenge yet faced by any games player with a passport to outer space.

Blood Money, It's here. It's in your trembling, sweaty hands. It's ready and waiting for you. But are you sure you're ready for Blood Money?

http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/blood-money
